Canadians heading to vote face sticker shock for primary care at private clinics | CBC News

Ahead of the federal election, Canadians are worried about access to health care. Some private clinics, which are growing in number, charge thousands a year for primary care and out-of-pocket fees, as many people struggle with a soaring cost of living.

An estimated 6.5 million Canadian adults don't have a regular health-care provider like a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

Dr. Rita McCracken, a family physician in Vancouver and primary care researcher at the University of British Columbia, said the shift toward private, for-profit clinics continues while principles of the Canada Health Act hang in the balance this federal election. She was recruited by what she calls a boutique clinic, though she never joined.

The Canada Health Act prohibits charging for an essential medical service like primary care that is publicly available, because health care should be based on need, not income. Quebec is an exception due to a Supreme Court ruling. 

The private clinic option "takes me out of the public system where anybody has access if they are a patient of mine, and remove...
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